Dodda Alada Mara - Big Banyan Tree - Bangalore

The Dodda Alada Mara or Doda Alada Mara, literally translated to Big Banyan Tree, is a giant 400 year old Banyan tree (Ficus bengalensis), located in the village of Kettohalli in the Bangalore Urban district of Karnataka, India. This single plant covers 3 acres (12,000 m2) and is one of the largest of its kind. It has a crown circumference of more than 250 meters and has more than a thousand aerial roots. In the 2000s, the main root of the tree succumbed to natural disease, and thus the tree now looks like many different trees.

he Big Banyan Tree (Dodda Alada Mara in Kannada) is a huge banyan tree that has an amazing charm of its own. It is a natural wonder and is a popular choice among the tourist destinations of Bangalore. The giant tree is located at Ramohalli. The specialty of the tree is that it is 400 years old and covers an area of 3 acres. The tree is one of the largest of its type. With a crown circumference of more than 250 meters and more than a thousand aerial roots, the tree offers a beautiful vision of greenery and cool shade all around.

The pleasant appearance of the tree and the serene surroundings of the place have projected the Big Banyan Tree as an ideal picnic spot. The beauty of the place is further enhanced by the Savanadurga hill and the backwaters of the Manchanabele reservoir, which form the backdrop of the tree. People of all age group flock to this picnic spot along with their friends and family members.

The tourist spot at Big Banyan Tree presents everyone with the opportunity to have a relaxing day away from the hustle and bustle of the city and to breathe in fresh air under the cool shade of the sprawling tree. The Big Banyan Tree has been maintained in a very neat and clean manner. The tree has fenced boundaries and benches for people to sit and appreciate nature’s beauty. Most Bangaloreans visit the spot on weekends to unwind and relax in nature’s company.